Spinal Stenosis/Herniated discs

wannabethinner92
wannabethinner92 Posts: 9 Member
edited November 14 in Fitness and Exercise
Hello!

I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis a couple years ago at the age of 22 in which it really messed up my exercise routine. I loved weight training as well as running and now that seems to be impossible!

I also have three herniated discs in my neck and all my lumbar discs are herniated (mildly).

I was pregnant and gained way too much pregnancy weight and now that my daughter is about to turn 1 year old, I want to get this weight off! Definitely changing my eating habits but what exercises do you, those who face similar circumstances, suggest? My neck gets very crampy if I'm put in any odd position. And of course, lower back does not help at all!

Thank you in advance. Truly appreciate it!!

Replies

  • RuNaRoUnDaFiEld
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld Posts: 5,864 Member
    Which type do you have?
  • wannabethinner92
    wannabethinner92 Posts: 9 Member
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »
    Which type do you have?

    I have Lumbar Stenosis, with it being borderline narrowing at the L3-4, and severe central canal stenosis of L4-5 and L5-S1.

    They also concluded borderline narrowing in the central canal of C5-6
  • RuNaRoUnDaFiEld
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld Posts: 5,864 Member
    wannabethinner92 wrote: »
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »
    Which type do you have?

    I have Lumbar Stenosis, with it being borderline narrowing at the L3-4, and severe central canal stenosis of L4-5 and L5-S1.

    They also concluded borderline narrowing in the central canal of C5-6

    Then I would ask your Dr if swimming is fine to take up. It is normally allowed with lumbar stenosis.

    That being said you can lose weight without exercise, you just have to eat less calories than you burn.
  • wannabethinner92
    wannabethinner92 Posts: 9 Member
    Yes, I'm definitely going to talk to my neurologist again in April. Was just wondering from those who have/deal with this pain, what might work for them. I have terrible social anxiety so public pools wouldn't work for me on a mental level lol but I do want to invest in one to put in the backyard.

    I just really miss running!

    Thank you for your response!
  • fittocycle
    fittocycle Posts: 827 Member
    I have herniated discs in the L3/L4 and L5/S1 areas, stenosis, scoliosis, and a touch of arthritis thrown in. I try to be as active as I can be. I've found that my back is fine with riding a stationary bike, weight training (lower reps, high repetitions), walking, and doing yoga. Yoga has made a huge difference in my flexibility and pain level. I would say that if anything you do hurts, then please stop. You might have to put the activity aside for a while but can come back to it at another time.
    Just remember that weight loss is mostly diet. Exercise is great for overall health but don't feel like you have to include it to lose weight
  • wannabethinner92
    wannabethinner92 Posts: 9 Member
    fittocycle wrote: »
    I have herniated discs in the L3/L4 and L5/S1 areas, stenosis, scoliosis, and a touch of arthritis thrown in. I try to be as active as I can be. I've found that my back is fine with riding a stationary bike, weight training (lower reps, high repetitions), walking, and doing yoga. Yoga has made a huge difference in my flexibility and pain level. I would say that if anything you do hurts, then please stop. You might have to put the activity aside for a while but can come back to it at another time.
    Just remember that weight loss is mostly diet. Exercise is great for overall health but don't feel like you have to include it to lose weight

    Thank you for your input :) I definitely would not mind trying yoga! I heard that does wonders. I would be more open to a lot of things if my neck wasn't bothering me so much. It just feels so weak and it cramps up, then gets sore to where my head feels heavy. Thank you again. I greatly appreciate it :)
  • comptonelizabeth
    comptonelizabeth Posts: 1,701 Member
    wannabethinner92 wrote: »
    fittocycle wrote: »
    I have herniated discs in the L3/L4 and L5/S1 areas, stenosis, scoliosis, and a touch of arthritis thrown in. I try to be as active as I can be. I've found that my back is fine with riding a stationary bike, weight training (lower reps, high repetitions), walking, and doing yoga. Yoga has made a huge difference in my flexibility and pain level. I would say that if anything you do hurts, then please stop. You might have to put the activity aside for a while but can come back to it at another time.
    Just remember that weight loss is mostly diet. Exercise is great for overall health but don't feel like you have to include it to lose weight

    Thank you for your input :) I definitely would not mind trying yoga! I heard that does wonders. I would be more open to a lot of things if my neck wasn't bothering me so much. It just feels so weak and it cramps up, then gets sore to where my head feels heavy. Thank you again. I greatly appreciate it :)

    I have herniated discs in L5/S1 and years ago also suffered with terrible neck problems which were due to herniated cervical discs. Yoga worked wonders for me but make sure ,if you can,that you start it with a teacher who knows his/her stuff and understands your problem. And don't push things - yoga is not competitive! I really sympathise- I used to be miserable with neck pain and there were days when I'd wake and be unable to turn my head. It's far worse than lower back pain!
  • wannabethinner92
    wannabethinner92 Posts: 9 Member
    Thank you so much :) I think I'll do just that and try it out!
  • painzzzz
    painzzzz Posts: 10 Member
    one thing that helps me with my herniated discs is a foam roller. get a 36" full round foam roller and lay on it with your entire back, tailbone to head. just laying there for a few minutes with my arms out in a T position really helps to relieve cramping in my neck and stretch out the muscles. be careful getting off and on. I've found them for $14 on ebay. make sure you keep using the muscles in your core and keep your neck moving.
  • wannabethinner92
    wannabethinner92 Posts: 9 Member
    painzzzz wrote: »
    one thing that helps me with my herniated discs is a foam roller. get a 36" full round foam roller and lay on it with your entire back, tailbone to head. just laying there for a few minutes with my arms out in a T position really helps to relieve cramping in my neck and stretch out the muscles. be careful getting off and on. I've found them for $14 on ebay. make sure you keep using the muscles in your core and keep your neck moving.

    Thanks a bunch! Any thing to help :) Almost 3 years of this and I'm already going crazy! Lol
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